Stampin' Up!

Gently Falling

September 25, 2011 By Connie | 11 Comments

I've been trying to do the FMS3 sketch challenge over on Freshly Made Sketches all week. I thought that Stampin' Up!'s set, Gently Falling, would be perfect for it!

I changed mine up a little bit…I used the big panel for my Give Thanks sentiment panel instead of placing it under the panel.

I started with a base of Soft Suede cardstock and layered on Crumb Cake. I used my Color Spritzer and Soft Suede Marker in the corners and added a strip of Spice Cake Designer Paper with a Scallop Border Punch of Early Espresso. I stamped GIve Thanks in Early Espresso on Very Vanilla cardstock and stamped off with a few of the leaf images in Gently Falling in the opposite corners. It is layered on Early Espresso.

For the leaves, I did the Rock & Roll technique. One is Pumpkin Pie with Old Olive edges, the other is More Mustard with Cherry Cobbler edges stamped on Very Vanilla. Then I stamped the two-step outline stamp over top in Early Espresso and cut them out. I tucked them behind a Spice Cake Designer Button that is tied with Spice Cake fabric. I LOVE that look! The Gently Falling stamp set makes stamping leaves SO easy!

Hope you like it…I thought it turned out nice!

Out on a Limb again!

September 23, 2011 By Connie | 7 Comments

Well, if you stopped by today to see the tutorial for the ruffled purse, I'm sorry to disappoint you. I had some scary moments on Wednesday morning of "what might have happened"! My desktop computer monitor suddenly started sizzling and then smoke and sparks started shooting out of it! A LOT of smoke and sparks! I saved what I was working on and started pulling the plugs…then grabbed the base and ran it out into the garage. Luckily, when I unplugged it, the smoke and everything stopped. But…I started thinking about what would have happened had I been down in my studio or in another room and hadn't seen what was going on! YIKES!

But, yes, the story continues. This desktop computer is about 7 years old…I know…ancient in computer worlds, but it has SO much of my work stuff on it and pictures and favorites and emails, etc. It would be a PAIN to move all that over. But, when I ran to the store to get a monitor, the salesperson (trying to convince me to buy a whole new computer), mentioned that I would have trouble finding a monitor that would work with that old of a computer. Well, she was right…the one I bought there didn't work. So, back to the store…stopping at the local discount store thinking they may have "older" models and I did find one that was compatible. AND, I do love the widescreen. So, I'm back in business, but now a day behind in prepping for all my classes next week AND my time to do the tutorial disappeared! lol! So…all that to say, I'll be working on it…but don't know exactly when it will get up. Sorry!

But, I made time today to do a card using one of the sets we are featuring over on Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition this week…Out on a Limb. This one was kind of different for me. I don't know if I LOVE it, but it is different!

There is LOTS of sparkle and glitz on this card! The Spider Web Impressions Folder I used Old Olive cardstock and highlighted with Frost Shimmer Paint and a sponge dauber…very shimmery in real life. On top I added the Curly Label punched from the Silver Glimmer Paper…more glittery fun-ness! On top is a 1 1/4" Circle of Basic Black with two Rhinestone Jewels. Over that is the Tangerine Tango Modern Label punch with Happy Halloween from Delightful Dozen stamp set in Basic Black. I stamped and cut out the three little spiders from Out on a Limb and placed them with Stampin' Dimensions around the web. The Old Olive was layered on Basic Gray and the Tangerine Tango Dotted Ribbon wrapped around and tied. I added more spiders with Basic Black ink on the Basic Gray layer and Rhinestone Jewels on their bodies. The base of the card is Tangerine Tango.

So…what do you thinK? It is growing on me!

Create with Connie and Mary has just started the six weeks of the Holiday Edition 2011! Make sure you sign up…we have some fabulous projects by some FABULOUS designers! Join us! You have access 24/7 and we leave our site up for over a year so you can refer back to the projects we've done! Click on the Buy Now button on my right sidebar!

CCMC 168 – Out on a Limb

September 22, 2011 By Connie | 9 Comments

Oh, over on Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge, we have a FUN sketch for everyone to try! Quick and easy one, too! Make sure to check out what Challenge Team has done with it over on Create with Connie and Mary!

And here is my card. I found one of these "starts" on my desk…you know…a partially finished piece. I had the circle medallion left over from the Control Freaks swaps I made. I thought it would be perfect for this sketch. See, my focal element is round…it is OK to change out the rectangle we show to something else! Our sketch is a start for you to get creative!

I love this kitty and her tail hanging over the branch! I stamped the branch first in Basic Gray, then the kitty with Basic Black and colored her eyes with Old Olive. The moon was done in Basic Black and colored with a So Saffron marker. I punched out the Whisper White with the 2 1/2" Circle Punch and layered on the Perfect Pennants Die. That was layered in a 3" circle of Cajun Craze cardstock. I used three patterns in the Frightful Sights Designer Paper and cut them into the strips for the background of Old Olive cardstock. I layered it on the base of Cajun Craze cardstock. I stamped Spooky from Spooky Bingo Bits in Basic Black under the focal element. I added a "Mary bow" to the side with a Pumpkin Glimmer Brad in the center. Finally, I used three 1/4" Circles along the side and across the top cut from the Silver Glimmer Paper…LOVE the sparkle!

Again, make sure you check out what the rest of the Challenge Team did with this sketch…as usual, we have LOTS of variety!

Folded Christmas Trees

September 21, 2011 By Connie | 43 Comments

When I saw the sketch challenge today over on SCS, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. It is also for the Paper Players Challenge #64 for plants or animals.

I've been wanting to do a variation of the Folded Christmas Tree card that I originally made last year. You can see it HERE. That card is the MOST viewed card over the past 4 1/2 years that I've had my blog. Even in the summer I get at least a dozen hits on it a day. There is a FREE TEMPLATE over there, too, for the full sized one I did on that card!

For this card,I used 3" circles of Holly Berry Designer Paper to make the trees and folded them according to the template. I layered them onto the three Real Red panels that I ran thru the Big Shot with the new Snow Burst Impressions Folder in the Holiday Mini. I added tree trunks and a small star from Silver Glimmer paper for their tops. The red panels were layered on Early Espresso cardstock, then placed on a layer of Very Vanilla. I stamped Season's Greetings from Stampin' Up!'s Curly Cute stamp set in Real Red along the bottom. I wrapped the Old Olive Dotted Scallop Ribbon around and tied a knot. Everything was layered on the base card of Pear Pizzazz.

Now, that was Version TWO. Here is Version ONE that I started with. This one was a little more streamlined. I used the Very Vanilla in the background behind the trees and the Real Red for the panel behind them. At the bottom, I left off the bow, but added score lines to dress it up a little. The base on this one is Wild Wasabi.

So…what do you think? Which one do you like better? Would love to hear your comments!

We're just getting started with the Holiday Edition of Create with Connie and Mary! It's a perfect time to join! This week we've been working with the Halloween products…next up is our Fall/Thanksgiving week! Our Design Team and Guest Designers have been working hard on some VERY creative projects that you won't see anywhere else! Nope…not even previews! They are exclusive to Create with Connie and Mary subscribers! These make great class projects AND great gifts! The step-by-step photo tutorials stay up until next year so you can refer back to the projects over and over again. Join us…you'll be glad you did!

September 2011 Tour de Freaks

September 19, 2011 By Connie | 17 Comments

It's TIME again! The September 2011 Tour de Freaks, brought to you by the Control Freak Swappers! We have a few less people this month, but still have the same awesome projects from the ones that were able to fit into their busy schedules! Our theme is "Fall into Step" this month…projects for Autumn, Halloween and Thanksgiving! You've just come from Wendy Weixler's blog...great projects!

My first project is a cardstock and Spice Cake Fabric Purse Clutch that was originally intended for another project, but I decided that I'd use it for the September Tour de Freaks instead. I know you will love this idea! The inside is quite spacious…enough for a nice sized package of homemade goodies or a small gift! Now…I KNOW you will want the tutorial…and I PROMISE I have one for you on Friday of this week (Sept 23) in a CHRISTMAS version! So make sure you stop back on Friday to get it! I loved using the Spice Cake Fabric to make ruffles on this little clutch purse! And…the designer button…SO much fun!

And here is the inside…like I said…big enough for a nice sized treat or gift and it looks like a little clutch purse! Hmmm, it really would hold a travel tissue, cellphone, lipstick, mints…

There is NO sewing on this. The base is More Mustard cardstock. I used strips of the Spice Cake fabric on the front. I added Early Espresso trim across the top. I punched two Decorative Label Punches from More Mustard for the clasps, embossed with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder. The 1/2 velcro dots hold the clasps closed. I added a BIG designer button on the front with glue dots…added Linen Thread in the center. Again, I'll have a FREE TUTORIAL for you on Friday with the Christmas version, so stop back!

The second item is a Top Note Nugget Holder that I made for participants of my Class the other night.

I cut the Top Note from Soft Suede and Spice Cake Designer Paper, then cut off the edge of the designer paper one and adhered it over the Soft Suede. I scored 1/4" from the center point on each side for the spine. I wrapped it with a Belly Band of Pool Party, embossed with the Herringbone Folder, then added a Big Designer Button tied with Spice Cake Fabric in the holes. I added the Large Oval with Grateful stamped from the Always Thankful stamp set. The belly band slides off to show off the nuggets inside:

I wrapped the nuggets with more Spice Cake Designer Paper and adhered them to the bottom of the Top Note. It makes a FUN project and little gift for a friend or co-worker! I think I'll make these for the place settings at Thanksgiving this year!

Even though neither project involved stamping, I think I showed how versatile the Designer Fabric and Designer Papers can be!

Next stop is the FABULOUS Mary Brown! I know you will love her projects…take a look!

Pick Your Poison Quick Accents

September 18, 2011 By Connie | 10 Comments

I've been wanting to play along with the Freshly Made Sketch Challenge (FMS2) ALL week and finally had time to sit down and design something for it! My mojo left the house for a couple days last week…think I was working her a little too hard! Today, I spent most of the day on the computer doing "paperwork" type stuff and then running errands with my husband. Here is the sketch I used:

And here is the card I did using the Pick Your Poison Quick Accents that I had left over from a Create with Connie and Mary project. This week, this is one of the products in the Holiday Mini that we are featuring! Now, normally I would convert this sketch to a rectangle type card, but something inspired me to go ahead and leave it as a square. I plan on sending this to my mom and dad for Halloween, so I don't mind paying the extra postage for them. Or…maybe it will go to my son, Adam and his wife, Beth…decisions!

I started with a base of Pumpkin PIe cardstock in a 5 1/4 x 10 1/2 size. I added the Basic Gray cardstock after I roughed up the edges with my Cutter Kit distressing tool and inked with Basic Gray. In the center is a layer of Pick Your Poison Designer Paper layered on more Pumpkin Pie and the edges all distressed. In the center is the Poison Quick Accent adhered to a piece of Basic Black that is distressed, too. I cut the Basic Black 1 1/4 Striped Ribbon and frayed it, then adhered it ruffled on the front of the card with Sticky Strip. There is a Rhinestone Jewel to dot the i in Poison. I spritzed the entire thing with my Color Spritzer Tool and Basic Gray.

Finally, I decided it needed a little feminine touch. I cut the flower from the Blossom Party Die with Pumpkin Pie cardstock. I added a Basic Black 1/2" Circle punched from Black Faux Diamond Dust cardstock that I made with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder. I rolled down a couple of the corners for a little added texture, too! So…even though the "message" is kind of scary, the flower saves it from being TOO spooky, I think!

We announced the winners of the blog candy from the past couple weeks…did you win? Create with Connie and Mary has just started the six weeks of the Holiday Edition 2011! Make sure you sign up…we have some fabulous projects by some FABULOUS designers! Join us! You have access 24/7 and we leave our site up for over a year so you can refer back to the projects we've done!

Out on a Limb

September 17, 2011 By Connie | 6 Comments

Wow…thank you SO much for the wonderful response to my Trio of Treats Tote! I'm glad you enjoyed the FREE TUTORIAL and the chance to use some of those empty containers you have sitting around! I hope you also signed up for the Holiday Edition of Create with Connie and Mary, cause I tell you there are MORE fabulous projects in store for you! BUT…you need to be a subscriber to see them…we do NOT preview our projects. They are exclusive to subscribers only.

It's not too late! TODAY is the LAST DAY to sign up for the Holiday Edition at the special Early Bird Price…save $5 off the regular $34.95 US price…only $29.95. We will be sending out passcode information Saturday and our Holiday Edition officially starts on Sunday! We'll be announcing the winners of Blog Candy on Sunday, too! Click on my BUY NOW button to the right on my blog!

And, we are announcing our LAST GUEST DESIGNER today on Create with Connie and Mary! You will love her project…so go find out more about her!

But, I wanted to share a card with you that shows one of the sets we will be featuring next week on Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition…It's Halloween Week! That will be followed by Fall/Thanksgiving Week, Special Product Week and then 3 full weeks of Christmas. There is a little something for everyone! Of course, you can switch out the sets/supplies for many of our projects with other ones! My card uses Out on a Limb today!

This card was fun to make! I started with a base of Cajun Craze cardstock and layered on Basic Black. I ran a piece of Basic Gray cardstock thru the Big Shot with the Spider Web Impressions Folder, then highlighted the raised areas and edges with Basic Black Ink. For the focal element, I stamped the spiders from Out on a Limb at the top of the Whisper White with Basic Black ink, then stamped EEK from Spooky BIngo Bits (told you I love that set for the greetings!) in Cajun Craze. I added a little strip of Frightful Sights Designer Paper and a rhinestone jewel. Then I added a small strip of Silver Glimmer Paper across the top of the Whisper White.

It screams FUN to me!

Again, make sure to check out who our last Guest Designer is over on Create with Connie and Mary! And remember:

EARLY BIRD SAVINGS ENDS SATURDAY AT 11:55 PM EST.

CCM – Trio of Treats Tote!

September 16, 2011 By Connie | 143 Comments

BLOG CANDY ALERT!!!

EARLY BIRD PRICE ENDS SATURDAY!!!

Yeah! It is FINALLY my turn to share my Preview Session FREE TUTORIAL Project for Create with Connie and Mary! We've had a fabulous two weeks of sample FREE TUTORIALS from each member of our Design Team. We've introduced all of our Special Guest Designers…except ONE…she will be announced tomorrow!

Speaking of tomorrow (Saturday), it is the LAST DAY to take advantage of EARLY BIRD SAVINGS…$5 off the regular $34.95 US price for 6 weeks of the subscription! You pay only $29.95 US for over 36 step-by-step Photo Tutorials! That's less than $1 per tutorial, featuring products from the Holiday Mini! But…most of the ideas could easily be adapted with other stamp sets and papers! These projects are EXCLUSIVE to Create with Connie and Mary! You will not see them previewed ANYWHERE before or after the subscription…they will only be viewed by our subscribers!

So…here is my fun project! I call it a Trio of Treats Tote! I dressed mine up for the Christmas holidays, but it would be fun for Halloween, Thanksgiving or even as a hostess gift with any of our designer papers! Isn't it cute? I love to give little treats to family and friends at the holidays.

The front I decorated with a pleated lolly cut in half to surround the Decorative Label Punch. A medallion from the Merry Medley On Board was traced onto Wild Wasabi cardstock, cut out and embossed with the Snow Burst Impressions Folder. A couple Designer Buttons tied with Linen Thread on the sides…and that GORGEOUS Quilted Early Espresso Ribbon has SO much shimmer to it. But…look what's inside! Unwrap the ribbon and the front folds down!

Can you tell what the containers are? Yes! I recycled three of the empty brad/button containers to hold candy treats! I made a little pocket inside to hold the three containers from sliding out…and decorated the tops of each one! Now, I wish they were actually Christmas candy…fun to do a trio of different kinds…but it is a little early for Christmas type candy to be out on the shelves! I used Starlight Mints! This really is a FUN and EASY project! Go check out my STEP BY STEP TUTORIAL over on Create with Connie and Mary…and sign up for the Holiday Edition of Create with Connie and Mary! You will be SO glad you did! Password information will be sent out on Saturday!

Oh! Don't forget! I have BLOG CANDY today…leave a comment for me on THIS BLOG POST and you will be entered into a drawing to win a FREE subscription to the Holiday Edition 2011 of Create with Connie and Mary. Don't worry, if you have already joined, we can refund your $ or apply it towards the next session of Create with Connie and Mary!

Hope you enjoyed my PREVIEW PROJECT!